Family history's iron curtain is lifting — roots research in the former Soviet Union is now a reality. Start tracing your ancestors from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with this step-by-step guide.

Even though the Soviet Union disappeared from the map more than a decade ago, the specter of communism remains hard for its successor countries to shake — especially in America. Our perceptions of Russia still gravitate toward the Cold War rivalry, from spy-novel plots to the 1980 US hockey team's “miracle on ice.”

The frosty US-USSR relationship certainly hasn't faded from family historians' memories. Nearly 3 million Americans have roots in Russia; another 1.5 million-plus claim ancestry in Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. For decades, those who wanted to discover their family's past faced the ultimate brick wall: the iron curtain.

When you buy the Historical Maps of Europe Premium Collection, you'll get the brand new Family Tree Historical Maps Book: Europe, as well as an assortment of other incredible tools to trace you ancestors back to the home country and visualize the world in which they lived--in full color.

Only available in March, this collection has a retail value of $197.95, but is yours this month only for $59.99!